Why we killed Anambra Ex-Deputy Governor – Suspects

Three suspects who were paraded Tuesday, June 3 by the Lagos State commissioner of police, Mr Umar Manko at the Lagos state police headquarters, Ikeja, have revealed the reasons they murdered a former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chudi Nwike.

The suspects who also claimed responsibility for the abduction of the wife and daughter of a Supreme Court judge, Justice Rhodes Vivour had kidnapped the politician on March 19, 2013 and demanded a N30 million ransom but they reportedly murdered him days later after they had collected a ransom of N5million.

According to one of the suspects named Godspower Ovwigho, they murdered the politician because his wife tried to be difficult.

“We demanded N30 million but they gave us only N5 million. After the payment, they promised to give us more but did not. It was Rufus that shot him dead when the wife refused to pay more.

“He called the victim’s wife on the phone and asked why the money was slashed. She told him that was all they were able to gather. Out of anger, he shot the former deputy governor four times and called his wife again on the phone and told her to use the balance to organise his burial,” he said.

The manhunt led to the arrest of Godspower Ovwigho, 31, and Stanley Efetobor, 29 by operatives of the Special Anti‑ Robbery Sqaud (SARS). The kidnap suspects were nabbed following the arrest of one Monday Odieto in Benin, Edo State, by the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ikoyi, Aisha Haruna, whose confession led to a manhunt for those indicted.

Godspower was identified by Monday Odieto as being a top ranking member of the gang.

During interrogation, the suspects were said to have confessed to be among those who ambushed some prison officials in Okere, Warri, Delta State while their leader, simply identified as Rufus was being taken to court in March last year. Some prison officials were reportedly killed in the attack.